A Guide to Exciting Things to do in Tenby
There are many exciting things to do in Tenby – a wonderful Welsh seaside town full of charm, sandcastles and colourful picture-perfect Victorian houses. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is spectacular, and the Blue Flag sandy beaches are perfect for some family fun. A classic UK holiday.
Tenby is a great town to explore, and there are cobbled, winding streets and numerous restaurants to try and enjoy. Tenby in Welsh is ‘Dinbych-y-Pysgod’, which translates to Little Fortress of the Fish, and you will soon understand why as you walk around. It is easy to lose yourself walking around the beautiful old streets.
Undeniably, there are many great things you can do in Tenby, and there is something for everyone. Therefore, if you decide to visit and it’s summertime, then expect to be sharing your time in the ‘Welsh Riviera’ with many other tourists. However, due to Tenby’s position on the coastline, you can visit on a day trip from different places in Pembrokeshire if you do not want to be in action.
Best Time to Visit Tenby
The best option to explore Tenby is in the shoulder seasons from June to early July and from September to October. However, in August, it is swamped due to the school holidays, and it is cold and wet during winter, so if you can avoid those times, we recommend it!
How to Get to and around Tenby
Luckily you do not need a car to explore Tenby because it is incredibly compact. Therefore, if you do not have your own, do not worry because you can arrive by train. However, if you want to explore the surrounding area, your trip will be much easier than if you try to navigate public transport. Besides, you will be able to reach some truly isolated and unique places.
Train: Tenby Railway Station
Air: The closest airport is Cardiff Airport.
The 10 Best Things to do in Tenby
We have created an exciting list of Tenby’s best things to do. Enjoy your time in this exciting and historic town with sandy beaches and a colourful harbour! We recommend visiting for a weekend to get the most out of your trip.
Tenby Harbour
The first thing on your list of things to do in Tenby should be visiting the beautiful and colourful Tenby Harbour. It is a great spot to soak up the old town’s friendly atmosphere and watch the world go by. In the summer, you can relax on Tenby Harbour Beach and in the colder months, you can enjoy a walk with beautiful views of the coast.
Tip: visit at sunset to fully appreciate the colours of the harbour. It is also the best time to take pictures, so get your camera ready.
Castle Hill
If you are searching for the best views over Tenby town, you should walk up to Castle Hill. It is not difficult and not too far from the town either. What’s great is that you can see so much from here.
It includes the ruins of the 12th century Tenby Castle and the RNLI Lifeboat Station. So wear some trainers and get exploring. It was one of our favourite places to take photos due to its beautiful and relaxing setting.
Tenby Beaches – Harbour Beach, Castle Beach, South Beach and North Beach
Yes, that’s correct. Tenby has four beautiful beaches that are free to enjoy. If you are there in good weather, you are certainly in for a treat as there are more than 4km of sandy beaches. You can have a wonderful beach day in Tenby, and the water is extremely clear by British standards.
The North and South Beaches are long, which means there will be plenty of space even in the summer months for you to find your spot! North Beach is also a popular place to rent paddle boards and kayaks, and the location is second to none.
Suppose you are wondering which one to head to first. Our favourite is Castle Beach because of the island just offshore. It was also a Sunday Times Beach of the Year in 2019 and is a Blue Flag Beach, which means that visiting is one of the best things to do in Tenby. Trust us. You’ll not be disappointed.
It is said that you can visit all four beaches in less than 20-minutes. We didn’t try this but if you manage it, then let us know!
Tenby’s Shops, Restaurants and Bars
There are many shops to explore in Tenby. In fact, Tenby High Street is bustling, and there is a great buzz about the place. You can also visit St Julian’s Street, which is full of exciting independent shops to explore too.
It would be best if you also tried the local beer, Tenby Brewing Co. Many places stock it in the town. An excellent place to start is Harbour, which is just above the pretty harbour.
Also, there are so many excellent choices to eat and drink. Every corner you turn down, you will be able to find somewhere special. A popular spot is the Salt Cellar due to the beautiful views you can get from its terrace and an excellent menu that will leave you wanting more. If you’re looking for fish and chips, you also have plenty of choices.
Caldey Island
A short 20-minute boat ride from Tenby will take you to Caldey Island, an untouched island, where you can see seals and birds. There are also beautiful beaches, and the Captain will explain to you the history of the island and area when you are on board.
The island is holy and owned by Cistercian monks, making it a unique experience. Unfortunately, it is only open in summer, so check before you go and you can buy tickets from the harbour kiosks. You will see a lighthouse, a post office and the monastery, which dates back 1,500 years. The monks offer free tours but appreciate any support, such as buying Abbot’s Kitchen Chocolate. It is hard to say no to chocolate.
Five Arches Gate
Tenby was once a walled town, and when you walk around the town, you will still see some of them. However, one of the most impressive parts to see and one of the best things to do in Tenby is to visit the Fiver Arches Gate. As it was the old entrance to the town, you can easily imagine what it was once like to enter the old town.
Tenby Museum and Art Gallery
On your way to Castle Hill, you will find the oldest independent museum in Wales, established in 1878. Here you will see beautiful paintings of the outstanding landscape you have just seen and of Pembrokeshire. You can also learn about the town’s history, and there are fun activities for children to get hands-on experience in discovering local history. It is one of the best things to do in Tenby for both adults and children.
Good to know: It is free for children (under 16) to enter with a paying adult ticket!
Tudor Merchant’s House
On Quay Hill, you will discover the 15th century Tudor Merchant’s House, which is a museum where you can step back in time to learn how the Tudor Merchant would have once lived.
It is a National Trust owned property that has looked after the house for the last 75 years. If you’re not careful, you could walk by this without even realising it, but it is worth a visit to explore the different floors and get a feel for what it was like to live there 500 years ago.
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
The coastal path is 186 miles of indescribable scenery, and luckily it is right on Tenby’s doorstep. The section from Amroth to Lydstep, 11.5 miles, goes through Tenby and is an excellent and exciting part of the path. There are beautiful views with reports that you can see as far as Devon if it is a clear day making it one of the best things to do in Tenby.
It is also unique because it is one of the only sections of the entire walk that includes woodland (Saundersfoot to Tenby). You can also walk from Amorth to Saundersfoot on the beach at low tide, which is an exciting experience.
St Catherine’s Island
You can visit St Catherine’s Island (sometimes known as St Catherine’s Rock) by foot from Castle Beach but only at low tide. Here, you can tour St Catherine’s Fort, which is a fun experience.
Once, there was a church here, but it was taken down to build the fort that you can explore today. It is 200m long and 60m wide, and we think it’s definitely worth a visit. It is one of the unique things you can do in Tenby.
There you have it, the ten best things to do in Tenby. The best part is that you can do most of these ideas throughout the year, and they can be enjoyed by people of all ages, couples, families and friends. The lure of a trip to Tenby is exciting!
Are you enjoying Pembrokeshire? Please read our guide to the best things to do in St Davids – the UK’s smallest city and our guide about how to visit the magical Blue Lagoon.
Photo Credits: Averagelives.com
